Uncertainty remains regarding a layer of facets 40 to 60 cm deep that is reactive at treeline and above. Several avalanches have failed on this layer over the past week.
20-40cm of recent snow, with sustained and continued moderate to strong winds, has formed widespread slabs at ridgetop and below.
A facet or facet/crust interface 30 to 70 cm down, formed in late January, has been the failure plane for several large avalanches in the region this week. We suspect this is predominantly a problem on south and west aspects, but we have limited information on its spatial distribution.
Lake Louise patrol reported triggering some small size 1 wind slabs in alpine lee terrain. Sunshine patrol reported triggering slabs up to size 1.5 on facets (20cm deep, 35m wide). No other avalanche were observed or reported.
A complex snowpack remains in the wake of the recent storm. A common pattern is a 40 to 60 cm slab poorly bonded to facets or a facet crust combination formed on Jan. 24. The distribution of this layer (its location) is difficult to pin down, and for now we are concerned about all steep terrain at treeline and above, especially on SE through W aspects.
A few cm of new snow overnight Wednesday, totaling less than 5 cm as forecast snowfall was significantly reduced. Winds will be moderate with strong gusts from the west. Temperatures remain seasonal with valley temps near 0°C and ridgetops near −10°C. Strong solar input will quickly moisten snow on solar aspects and low elevations.
